Final answer:
For children over 2 years, a resting heart rate above 100 bpm may indicate tachycardia and warrant medical evaluation, particularly if accompanied by symptoms like dizziness or chest pain. While children can have naturally higher heart rates, persistent high rates may be signs of underlying health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Normal Heart Rate in Children
For children older than 2 years, a heart rate (HR) above 100 beats per minute (bpm) while resting can be considered tachycardic; however, the definition of tachycardia varies among individuals and age groups. While tachycardia in adults is a HR above 100 bpm, children normally have higher resting heart rates than adults, but this does not always indicate an abnormal condition. It is important to note that maximum heart rates can range up to 200-220 bpm, and these decrease with age.
Evaluation of a child's heart rate should always be contextual, taking into account whether they are at rest or if they have been physically active. Elevated heart rates during or shortly after exercise are normal. However, if a resting HR is considerably above what is expected for their age, or if the child exhibits symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or chest pain, the condition could be serious and requires medical attention.
Tachycardia can be due to many factors including fever, anemia, infections, and other more serious heart conditions that might require treatments like medications or even surgery. In some cases, a high heart rate could be a reaction to stress or an indication of a disorder of the autonomic nervous system or the heart itself. Assessment and treatment should be tailored to the underlying cause.